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Trans-generational specificity within a cnidarian–algal symbiosis

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Abstract

Ocean warming and other anthropogenic stresses threaten the symbiosis between tropical reef cnidarians and their dinoflagellate endosymbionts (Symbiodinium). Offspring of many cnidarians acquire their algal symbionts from the environment, and such flexibility could allow corals to respond to environmental changes between generations. To investigate the effect of both habitat and host genotype on symbiont acquisition, we transplanted aposymbiotic offspring of the common Caribbean octocoral Briareum asbestinum to (1) an environmentally different habitat that lacked B. asbestinum and (2) an environmentally similar habitat where local adults harbored Symbiodinium phylotypes that differed from parental colonies. Symbiont acquisition and establishment of symbioses over time was followed using a within-clade DNA marker (23S chloroplast rDNA) and a within-phylotype marker (unique alleles at a single microsatellite locus). Early in the symbiosis, B. asbestinum juveniles harbored multiple symbiont phylotypes, regardless of source (parent or site). However, with time (~4 yr), offspring established symbioses with the symbiont phylotype dominant in the parental colonies, regardless of transplant location. Within-phylotype analyses of the symbionts revealed a similar pattern, with offspring acquiring the allelic variant common in symbionts in the parental population regardless of the environment in which the offspring was reared. These data suggest that in this host species, host–symbiont specificity is a genetically determined trait. If this level of specificity is widespread among other symbiotic cnidarians, many cnidarian–algal symbioses may not be able to respond to rapid, climate change-associated environmental changes by means of between-generation switching of symbionts.

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Acknowledgements

For logistical and technical assistance, we thank A. Hannes, C. Lewis, P. Bouwma, Keys Marine Lab staff, Aquarium of Niagara, Sherwood Scuba, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and J. Stamos. For their help on the manuscript, we thank J. Parkinson and S.E. McIlroy. The research was supported by the National Science Foundation OCE 99-07319, OCE 04-24994, and OCE-09-26822 (MAC).

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  1. Department of Biological Sciences, 109 Cook Hall, SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA

    D. M. Poland

  2. Graduate Program in Evolution, Ecology and Behavior and Department of Geology, 126 Cook Hall, SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA

    M. A. Coffroth

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  1. D. M. Poland
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Correspondence to M. A. Coffroth.

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Poland, D.M., Coffroth, M.A. Trans-generational specificity within a cnidarian–algal symbiosis. Coral Reefs 36, 119–129 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-016-1514-0

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